The COMPASS Research Lab (COupled Multiphysics Research in Porous And Subsurface Systems) is a collaborative research group dedicated to advancing fundamental and applied knowledge of complex multiphysics processes in porous and subsurface systems. Our work sits at the intersection of geotechnical engineering, energy systems, hydrology, and geoenvironmental engineering, with a strong emphasis on computational modeling, experimental insight, and bio-inspired solutions to real-world challenges.

At the heart of COMPASS is our student-driven research culture. Graduate and undergraduate researchers are not just contributors. They are co-creators of knowledge and essential partners in every stage of our research.

• Graduate students play leading roles in defining research questions, developing computational and experimental frameworks, publishing scholarly work, and mentoring junior researchers. They are trained to become independent thinkers and future leaders in academia, industry, and national laboratories.

• Undergraduate research students are deeply embedded in the lab’s day-to-day activities, gaining hands-on experience in modeling, data analysis, laboratory experimentation, and scientific communication. Through close mentorship, undergraduates are empowered to contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects while discovering their own research interests and career paths.